Around Burlington: In 19th century, doctoring could be a risky

Hannah Noonan, described by Burlington's Gazette newspaper as "a buxom matron from the Emerald Isle," had been suffering from a persistent rash that winter of 1857, so she paid a visit to Dr. J.B. Edelen for a nostrum to alleviate her suffering. The good doctor examined the distressed areas and then gave Noonan a powder with directions for its application.

But there was little relief, and it wasn't until spring that the offending spots and itching faded away, leaving Hannah with the strong impression her cure was simply the result of time, rather than the medication Dr. Edelen had provided.

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